Automated bricklaying apparatus

Abstract

Automated installation for the laying for masonry on a wall, especially of a converter, comprising an operating station with a work plateform movable vertically inside the enclosure and capable of rotating about the vertical axis of the latter, areas for the simultaneous storage of two pallets of bricks on the platform, a robot for handling and laying the bricks, a monitoring and control station, retractable props for stabilizing the operating station and a device for raising and lowering pallets of bricks. The entire operating station is supported by a telescopic mast mounted on a turntable of a movable floor which is located outside the enclosure and with which the operating station forms a retractable self-propelled or towable unit.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An apparatus for lining the inner wall of a vessel with bricks, comprising: a mobile, substantially horizontal base;   a turntable rotatably mounted on the base;   a telescopic mast extending perpendicularly upwardly from a first end to a second end, said first end being secured to the turntable;   a work platform mounted on the second end of the mast, said platform being vertically movable by extension to the mast and being rotationally movable by rotation of the turntable;   retractable means for stabilizing the platform;   storage means for storing two pallets of bricks on the platform;   robot means for handling and laying the bricks;   control means for monitoring and controlling operation of the apparatus; and transport means for raising nd lowering pallets of bricks, said transport means comprising:   a pallet carrier cage, said cage having a lower compartment for receiving full pallets and an upper compartment for receiving empty pallets;   elevator means for receiving at least one pallet carrier cage; and   winch means for moving the elevator means between the turntable and the platform; and   means for loading and unloading the elevator means, said means for loading and unloading comprising:   guide means circumscribing the turntable; and   table means, slidably mounted on the guide means for movement around the turntable.   
     
     
       2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the elevator means further comprises a pantograph for lifting the pallets. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the compartments of the pallet carrier cage further comprise a floor and the floor comprises a sliding track. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the elevator means further comprises a pair of extensible guide rails and a pair of rolling runners and wherein each runner travels along one of the guide rails. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the work platform is detachable from the mast. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the robot means further comprises a horizontal telescopic boom, said boom being radially extendable. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the robot means further comprises grasping means for grasping at least one brick, and first and second arm segments rotatably joined by a vertical telescopic rod for connecting the grasping means to the boom. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising means for moving pallets in parallel with the boom. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control means is located above the working platform.